in a little series of urban "edibles".

in a little series of urban “edibles”. This is prickly lettuce, Lactuca serriola, closest known wild relative of cultivated lettuce, L. sativa.

Wikipedia describes it as having a “fetid” odor. That doesn’t exactly sound appetising. Apparently young leaves can be eaten raw, although they’re slightly bitter, and older leaves can be steamed. If you crack the stem, it produces a white liquid called latex. According to the ancient Greeks, supposedly a relaxant, and reduces sexual desire.

Funny how you see things when you know to look for them. When I’ve had home grown lettuce go to seed, the leaves look a lot like this, since then, I’ve started to pick it out on roadsides and pavements.